Duplicator



F. w. sroRcK- DUPLICATOR Sept. 14, 1937.

Filed June 19, 193e 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lf/eaagrwzz W/svforcn Sept. 14,1937. F.vw. sToRcK DUPLIGATOR Filed June 19, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 wwf@:@-IMM Patented. Sept. 14, 1937 purmcn'roa I' Frederick W. Storck,Arlington, Mass., asslgnor l to Standardv Mailing' Machines Company,Everett, Mass., a corporation of` Massachusetts Application June 19,1936, Serial No. 86,114

1 5 claims. (ci. iol- 132) This invention relates to an improved andsimplifled duplicating machine for duplicating and multiplying recordsor the like by the method in which a, record is made on a sheet of'paper or the 5 like, in reverse, with suitable dissolvable copying inkand reproduced directly therefrom as positive copies on clear sheets ofpaper or the like.

In duplicating machines of the character described herein, it is thepractice to moisten the l clear sheet, on which the duplicate copy is to.be

imprinted, with a volatile quickly diffusing moistening fluid. Suchfluids and compositions of fluids use d as. activating agents are nowknown to thoseskilled in the art. The function of the uid 15 activatingagent is to dissolve a minute but suficient amount of the ink from themaster characters, when the clear moistened sheet is engaged therewithunder pressure, to form clear legible duplicates thereof.

20 To obtain desired and eiiicient results in duplicating on apreviously moistened sheet the matter imprinted in reverse on a mastersheet with'a suitable copying ink, it is essential to substantiallydivide the copying lnk, forming the master char- 25 acters, into thenumber of duplicate copies desired. This desired number of duplicatecopies may vary up to 200 or more.

While the character of the copying ink, fluid and paper to be duplicatedupon has a direct 30 bearing on the number of duplicate copiesobtainable, this is to a minor degree only. The essential requirement isto obtain the maximum numthe sheet must be uniformly and sufiicientlymois-iJ 40 tened to, when engaged under pressure with the master copy,dissolve only suiilcient of the master copying ink to produce a clearsharp copy of the master on the clear sheet. If the face of the sheet ito be duplicated upon carries an excess of mois- 45 ture, when it lsengaged with the master copying ink, an excess of ink will be dissolvedand deposited on the clear sheet, thus resulting in fewer copies beingobtained from the master copy.

In the art of duplicating on a previously mois- 50 tened sheet thematter imprinted in reverse on a master copy sheet with a suitabledissolvable copying ink, the problem of moistening the sheet to beduplicated upon in a satisfactory manner so as to obtain the abovedesired and required 55 resulto has been the object of vnumerous schemesand devices. Such devices have been arranged to apply the moisture tothe face of the sheet which is engaged directly, under pressure, withthe master ink characters. Such a duplicator embodying a moistenngdevice which uniformly applies a limited amount of moisture to the faceofthe sheet which is to be duplicated upon is illustrated in my U. S.Letters Patent Re. 19,951.

A particular object of my present invention is to provide a so-calledwet process duplicator of a simplified and efcient construction that maybe manufactured and sold to users of such machines at a reasonably lowcost.

Another object of my invention is to so arrange certain elements of myduplicator so as to serve a dual purpose.` v

A further principal object of my invention is to provide a novel methodfor supplying moisture to the face of a clear sheet which is to beduplicated upon. 20 'I'he above objects `are stated as a generalexplanation and should not be construed as limiting my inventionthereto, as further objects willv be evident in my combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter described and more specicallyduplicator paper. Moisture ls applied to the 'face ofthe sheet oppositeto the face which is to receive the duplicate impression and a limitedbut effective amount of the fluid penetrates to this 40 face, to beduplicated upon, so that when the clear sheet is engaged under pressurewith the master ink characters. sumcient ink is dissolved therefrom tomake a clear legible duplicate copy on the clear sheet.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown a preferred form ofduplicating machine with my improvements embodied therewith suillclentto enable those skilled in the art to understand the construction andoperation thereof.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a vertical'section of my wetprocess Ilupllicator and is taken suhstn tially alou line Fig. 2.

nazuaummsemunnummmuy 5 along line 2-2, Fig'. 1; in this view some of theparts are omitted.

ferent position.

Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of my driving gears showing the gears indifferent relative position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View of my printing y platen as shown at Fig. 1,but shows my master copy clamp in a diiferent position.

The duplicating machine My machine is provided with side frames l I 0, II which are retained in spaced relation by suitable main tie rods I2,I3, I4, I5 and/I6. These frames I Il, I I support the elements oftheduplicator.A

The printing platen or drum I1 is preferably of a hollow constructionand in this instance is provided with removable end walls I1a, I1b.'I'his drum I1 is effectively secured to a shaft I8 which isrotatablymounted in-suitable and preferably anti-friction bearings I9,20 which are secured in the side frames. Lengthwise movement of theshaft is prevented, in this instance, by means of shoulders I8a, Ibformed .in the shaft I3 and which bear against the inner faces of thebearings I9, 2li.

The roller 2| functions as a combined pressure and moistening roller andis preferably formed of a resilient substantially non-absorptivematerial suchas rubber or the like. This roller 2| is secured to a shaft22 which'has its ends rotatably mounted in suitable bearings of opposedbrackets 23, 23 which are, in turn, rotatably supported on the turneddown portion of opposed spacer bushings I 4a on the rod I4. Thesebrackets 23 are provided with integral depending arms 23a. which engagewith eccentric locking cams 24, 24 secured to a transverse rod 25rotatably supported in the side frames I0, I I. This rod 26 is providedwith a handle 26a by means of which the rod 25 may be rotated to actuatethe cams 24 against the arms 23. The/se cams 24, as illustrated at Fig.1, retain the roller 2| in a close pressing engagement with .theprinting drum I1 and the cams 24 are further utilized for a purposehereinafter mentioned.

For the purpose of .illustration I have shown a preferred form of adevice for supplying my intermediate applicator with moisture, but it isobvious that other means may be provided for eifectively supplyingthe'moisture and, therefore, my illustrated moistening device is not tobe construed as limiting my duplicating machine thereto.

The moistening device In this illustrated moistening device themoistening fluid is contained in an inverted reservoir 26 of suitableconstruction to hold a desired quantity of the moistening uid. Thisreservoir is provided with a depending tube 21 adapted to communicatewith an enclosed fluid tank 23 which extends between the side frames I6,II. 'I'his tank 28 is secured .to a spacing bar 23 adapted for rotationin suitable bearings in the side frames. In this instance the tank 23 isprovided, adjacent its top, with a longitudinal slot in which isfrictionally disposed a wick 33 that extends into the tank 23 andengages with the iluidtherein.

The spacing bar 2l is provided witlra depending arm 3| -towhichissecured one end of apulispring 32. The opposed end of said pull spring32 is attached to a xed stud 33 secured in the tie rod I2. 'rms punspllns 32 causes the outer longitudinal edge of the wick to engage theperipheral. face of the roller with a degree of pressure and the backingplate 33 acts as a stiiener for the roller engaging edge of the wick.

'A moistening device of the above character witlr the functions thereofis fully shown and described in my U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,036,972and, therefore, further detailed description of this moistening deviceis thought unnecessary.

The master com] clamp A transverse groove or recess 34 is provided in;`

the peripheralface of the printing drum. This groove 34 is provided witha plurality of slots 36 which connect the groove 34 with the chamber ofthe drum I1. Disposed in the drum groove 34 and pivotally supportedagainst the bottom thereof and extending longitudinally therein is asubstantially ribbon-like clamp member blade 3l. This clamp memberisprovided with extensions 36a which are adapted to project through thecommunicating slots or apertures 35 and extend into the drum chamber.

Each inner end portion of the clamp extensions 36a has secured theretoone end of a spring 31, the opposed ends of said springs 31 beingattached to studs 3 8 which are secured in the drum shell. These springs31 are preferably disposed in an angular position so as to eilect apivotal seating of the clamp blade 36 against the bottom of the grooveor recess 34, together with effecting a resilient pivot for theextensions 36a. The springs urge the extensions 36a tothe right, thuscausing the intermediate portion oi' the clamp member to pivot againstthe bottom of the groove 34 and against the inner edge of thecommunicating slots 35, thus causing the outer edge portion of "theblade 36 to be pressed against the side wall 34e of the recess 34 withsuiilcient force to retain an edge of a master copy sheet Atherebetween.

Further, it may be said that the extensions 33a, of the ribbon-likeclamp blade 36, act to cause the outer edge portion oi' the blade 36 tobear with its greatest pressure at a point in a substantially verticalline with the extensions 36a and, in ei'i'ect, function in the manner ofindividually controlled contact points or areas as could be effectedlikewise with a plurality of individual or segmental blades that wereeach supported in the groove and provided with extensions adapted tofunction in the manner of the present illustration.

In this instanceI have provided a ,cam member 33 which extendslongitudinally within the drum and is positioned to be engaged with theclamp extensions 36a. This cam member 33 is rotatably supported in theend walls of the printing drum I1 and is provided with an operatinglknob 43. When the cam member 33 is rotated, it engages the extensions36a andexes the clamp member against its pivots. thereby causing theouter edge of the clamp to be actuated within the groove 34 and awayfrom engagement with the groove wall 34e and thus permits the insertionof an edge of a master copy sheet between the wall 34e and its coactingface of the clamp member blade 36.

The duplicating machine arm in my preferred form, the printing platen I1is directly proportioned relative to the roller 2|. The. platen driveshaft I8 has secured thereto a gear 4I which meshes with a pinion,secured to the roller shaft 22. In this instance the proportions which Ihave preferably selected effect a 2 to 1 ratio, that is, the gear 4| andplaten I1 make one revolution to two revolutions `of the pinion 42 androller 2|. It is obvious that these proportions may be varied to suitcircumstances and conditions and retain my desired rhythmical eifect.The outer end of the shaft 22 is, in this instance, provided with anoperating cranklhandle 43 and bymeans of which the duplicator elementsare rotated. f

To effect a determinatestopping point or position forthe printinglplaten I1, the platen gear 4I is provided with' a recess 4I@ adapted toreceive a portion of a lock-ball 44 which is supported in a housing 45secured to the side frame I0. This ball is resiliently urged intoengagement with the inner face ofthe gear 4I by means of a compressionspring 46 which is supported in the ball housing 45. As the gear 4I isrotated, the ball rides on the face thereof until it registers forengagement with the gear recess 4Ia and the spring 46 forces it intoengagement therewith.

Operation of'r the duplicating machine In preparing the machine foroperation, the cam 24 is rotated so as to permit the bracket 23 to swingabout its pivot I4 andthus position the roller 2| in a spaced-apartrelation relative to the peripheral face of the printing platen I1, seeFig. 3. It is to be noted that, when the roller 2| is spaced apart, theteeth ofthe gear 4| and pinion 42 are so constructed as to remain intheir engaging relation, see Figs. 4 and 5. vIt is obvious that withoutthis spaced-apart position of the moistening roller 2 I, moisture wouldbe applied directly to the face of the printing platen, I1 or to amaster copy sheet secured thereto and, in this last instance, would ruinthe master copy.

When the clamp 36 is rotated to a convenient position, the edge of themaster copy sheet is clamped as aforesaid with the reverse ink characsters on the outer or exposed face of the master cop'y sheet. Theprinting platen is then rotated to its determinate stop which isindicated by the yielding lock-ball 44 engaging in the gear recess 4Ia.The cam 24 is then rotated against the bracket arm 23a and thus causesthe roller 2| tov engage under pressure with the face of the printingplaten. When the printing platen I1 is in its indicated stoppedposition, the clamp edge of the master copy sheet A is positioned in orclose to the bight B formed by the platen I1 and pressure roller 2|.

To circumferentially guide the master sheet inA relation to the face ofthe platen and to prevent excessive opping of the sheet as the platen isrotated, the tie rods I5, I6 have rotatably mounted thereon a pluralityof rollers 5d which are retained in longitudinal position by spacedcollars 5I secured to the rods I5, Il.

'I'he sheets to be duplicated upon are stacked on a suitable support 52and fed-singly therefrom and positioned in the bight B, formed by theprinting platen I1 and roller 2|, for registering engagement with themaster copy. After positioning the sheet to be duplicated upon, theroller 2| and printing platen I1 are rotated in unison as previouslydescribed and, as the roller is rotated. moisture is applied to the facethereof, by the wick 30, and deposited on the face of the clear sheetopposite to the face ofA said sheet which is to contact with the mastercopy and be duplicated upon.

As previously stated, the sheets to be duplicated upon are of acharacter which permits the volatile quickly diffusing fluid to bereadily absorbed thereby and a'limited but suiiicient amount of thefluid will penetrate to the face of the sheet which is to receive thecopy. and this moisture will dissolve suiilcient of the ink from themaster characters so that when the sheet is simultaneously moistened andadvanced under pressure in engagement withthe master copy, sufllcient ofthe master character ink will be deposited on the clear sheet to form aclear legible duplicate of the master copy.

As the duplicate copy is` advanced through the machine it is guided by astripper plate 53, which is secured to the tie rod I4, intoa suitablereceiving receptacle 54.

Having thus described my claim is:

1. In a machine for producing on a clear sheet duplicate copies ofmatter imprinted in reverse invention, what I on a master sheet andincluding a fluid activating f agent, a frame, a printing platenrevolvably mounted in said frame, means for securing a master sheet tosaid platen, a single combined sheet feeding, moistening and pressureroller adapted for engagement with said platen, means for applying avolatile moistening iluid to said roller to be simultaneously depositedori a sheet of paper substantially as it passes between said roller andplaten as it is pressed against said master sheet by said roller, withmeans for rotating said roller and platen in unison.

2. In a machine for producing on a clear sheet duplicate copies ofmatter imprinted in reverse on a master sheet and including a uidactivating agent, a frame, a printing platen revolvably mounted in saidframe withv means for securing a master sheet to said platen, arotatable combined sheet pressing and moistening roller adapted forengagement with said platen, means for moistening said roller with avolatile quickly diffusing moistening fluid to be simultaneously de'-posited on a sheet of paper substantially as said sheet is advanced byand between said roller and platen, with means for rotating said rollerand platen in unison. 3. In a machine for producing duplicate copies ofmatter imprinted in reverse on a master sheet, a frame, a printingplaten revolvably mounted in said frame, withmeans for securing a mastersheet to said platen, a rotatable combined pressure and moisteningroller adaptedfor engagement with said plate with means including a wickfor supplying a volatile quickly diffusing moistening fluid to the faceof said roller to be deposited on a sheet of paper as it passes betweensaid roller and platen, with means for rotating said roller and platenin unison.

4. A machine for producing von a clear sheet duplicate copies of matterimprinted in reversev on a master sheet and including a fluid activatingagent, comprising a frame, a printing platen revolvably mounted insaidsframe with means for securing a master copy to said platen, apressure roller for said platen with means for apply-.rotatlngsaidroilerandplateninunilonanda support for a stack of sheetsto be duplicated upon.

5. A machine for producing on a clear sheet duplicate copies of matterimprinted in reverse r5 on a master sheet and including a'iluidactivating agent, having a revolvable printing platen and a singlecombined moistening and pressure `roller coacting therewith with adeterminate positioned stop for said platen and means for applying a.volatile quickly diusing, moistening iuid to said roller to besimultaneously deposited on a sheet of paper substantially as it isadvanced by and between said roller and platen, with means for rotatingsaid roller and platen in unison.

6. The method oi' multiplying copies which comprises forming a mastercopy in reverse with s a dissolvable ink, moistening one face of asheet.

to be duplicated upon with a volatile iluid activating agent, disposingthe opposed `face in engagement with the master copy under' pressure. 7.'I'he method of multiplying copies which comprises forming a master copyin reverse with a dissolvable ink, simultaneously moistening one face ofa sheet to be duplicated upon with a huid activating agent and engagingits opposed i'ace under pressure with the master copy.

8. The method of multiplying copies which comprises forming a mastercopy in reverse with a dissolvable ink, simultaneously moistening oneface of a sheet to be duplicated upon with a fluid activating agent andengaging said sheet under pressure with the master copy.

9. In a copy multiplying device having a master copy drum with a chambertherein, a longitudinal recess in the peripheral face ci said drum, aresilient clamp member disposed in said recess and having portionsthereof pivoted within said drum with means disposed relative to saidportions for engagement therewith and whereby said clamp is arcuatelyilexed and the outer edge portion actuated withinsaid recess.

10. In a copy multiplying device having a master copy drum with achamber therein, a longitudinal recess in the peripheral face oi saiddrum with apertures communicating with said drum chamber, said apertureslbeing of a less width than said recess to form shoulders, a resilientribbon-like member disposed in said recess and having portions thereofwhich extend'through said apertures and into said drum chamber,resilient pivotal connections for said portions, rotatable cam meansdisposed within said drum and adapted to arcuatelyfiex said portionsbetween their pivotal connections and said shoulders and whereby theouter edge portion of said member is actuated within said recess. l

11. In a. copy multiplying device having a master copy drum with achamber therein, a 1on1'- gitudinal recess in the peripheral i'ace oilsaid drum with apertures communicating with said drum chamber, saidcommunicating apertures being of a less width than the peripheral faceopening of said recess, a clamp member pivoted against the bottom ofsaid recess, said clamp having extensions which project through saidapertures and into said drum chamber, resilient pivotal connections forthe terminating portions of said extensions, said pivotal connections'being adapted to urge the outer edge portion of said clamp into closeengagement with said wall oi said recess, with means adapted to engagesaid extensions and whereby said clamp member is actuated on its recesspivot and its outer edge portion disposed in a spaced relation to saidside wall. 1 l 12. A machine for producing duplicate copies of matterimprinted in reverse on a master sheet and including a iluid activatingagent, having a support for a stack of sheets to be duplicatedv upon, arevolvable printing platen with means for securing a master sheetthereto, a pressure roller coacting with said platen and forming a bighttherebetween adapted to receive and position a sheet to be duplicatedupon i'or registering engagement with said master sheet with meansincluding said roller i'or supplying said positioned sheet with moistureclosely adjacent said bight as said sheet is advanced by and betweensaid roller and platen and under'pressure in engagement with said mastersheet.

13. A machine i'or producing duplicate copies of matter imprinted inreverse on a master sheetand including a iluid activating agent, havinga revolvable printing platen with means for securing a master copythereto, a combined feeding, pressure and moistening roller adapted forengagement with the peripheral face of said printing platen with meansfor rotating said roller and platen in unison, and means for supplyingsaid rollerwith a limited amount of a volatile quickly diffusing iluidtobe deposited' by said roller on one face of a sheet of paper as it isi'ed under pressure, by said roller and platen,

' `with its opposed face in engagement with said master copy.

14. A machine for producing duplicate copies oi' matter imprinted inreverse on a master sheet and including a iiuid activating agent, havinga revolvable printing 'platen with means for securing a master copythereto and a substantially non-absorptive combined feeding, pressureand moistening roller adapted for engagement with the peripheral iace ofsaid printing platen with means for rotating said rollerland platen inunison, and means for supplying said roller with a limited amount of avolatile quickly diifusing uid to be deposited by said roller on oneface of a sheet of paper as it is fed under pressure, by

said roller and platen, with its opposed i'ace in engagement with saidmaster copy.

15. In a copy multiplying device having a master copy drum with achamber therein, a longitudinal recess'in the face of said drum, said recess being 'of a greater depth than width, apertures disposedbetweensaid recessand said drum chamber, a clamp member disposed in saidrecess, said clamp member being of a'less width than-said recess andhaving dependent portions thereof that extend through said apertures andinto said drum chamber, resilient pivotal connections for said portions,rotatable cam nieans disposed within said drum and adapted for en'.sagement with said dependent portions and whereby the outer edge orsaid clamp is pressed into engagement with a side wall oi' said recess.

FREDERICK W. mm

